Kiss frontman Gene Simmons believes “bad decisions” resulted within the death of his former bandmate, Kiss guitarist and cofounder Ace Frehley.
In an interview with the Recent York Post, published on Saturday, December 6, Simmons, 76, detailed his perspective. “He refused [advice] from those that cared about him — including yours truly — to try to vary his lifestyle. Out and in of bad decisions. Falling down the steps — I’m not a health care provider — doesn’t kill you. There can have been other issues, and it breaks my heart,” Simmons said.
He continued, “The saddest thing — you reap what you shall sow, unfortunately.”
Us Weekly confirmed on November 10 that Frehley died on the age of 74 after affected by a stroke and “subdural hematoma” attributable to a fracture to the back of his skull, on October 16. His death was ruled an accident. It was first reported on by TMZ on the time.
Simmons’ Recent York Post interview also discussed the private funeral service that was held for Frehley on October 22. “Peter Criss, our founding drummer, Paul [Stanley] and myself went to the funeral, open casket,” Simmons told the outlet. “It was just heartbreaking.”
Frehley’s death was confirmed by his family in a press release provided to Us after his death. “We’re completely devastated and heartbroken,” the statement read. “In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been in a position to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter and have a good time his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others.”
Gene Simmons Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The statement concluded, “The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible achievements, Ace’s memory will proceed to continue to exist eternally!”
The statement also noted that Frehley died peacefully while surrounded by family in Morristown, Recent Jersey. The death occurred just 10 days after Frehley announced that he would cancel the rest of a 2025 solo tour as a consequence of medical issues.
Ace Frehley Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Moreover, the cancellation notice got here two weeks after Frehley pulled the pin on a scheduled September 26 show as a consequence of a fall inside his home that landed him within the hospital.
Us spoke with Frehley’s manager, John Ostrosky, in the times following his death. “Since 1976, Space Ace has been my Superman. His kindness, caring, and inclination to mentor was on the forefront until the very end. His influence will live with me eternally,” Ostrosky told Us on the time.
UPDATE — 10/9/25 at 5:45 p.m. ET: Gene Simmons has broken his silence two days after stepping into a automobile crash in Malibu. “Thanks, everybody, for the sort wishes. I’m completely fantastic,” Simmons wrote via X on Thursday, October 9. “I had a slight fender bender. It happens. Especially to those of us [who] were […]
Kiss was composed of Frehley, Simmons, Stanley and Criss, rising to fame within the Nineteen Seventies and boasting 14 platinum albums to its name. Frehley left the band in 1982 amid creative differences, happening to form his own band, Frehley’s Comet, before shifting paths again and going solo.
Frehley released his first solo album, 10,000 Volts, in 2024. In an interview with SiriusXM in February, the musician revealed that he has began work on a brand new album of canopy tracks titled Origins Vol. 3.